Laguna Of The MonthWith a '75 Laguna S-3 waiting in the wings for a complete project car makeover, the PHR staff is now on high alert for really sorted-out examples of the breed. We found such an example in Keith Seymore's '74 Chevelle Malibu, which was running in the OPG Nostalgia Muscle Car A index (10.50). Keith is an engineer in GM's full-size truck program in Troy, Michigan, and his '74 has been in the family since new-and racing since 1978. The Colonnade A-body features a 13.2:1-compression 550-inch big-block with AFR heads, Dart intake, Cam Motion solid roller cam, Holley 950 HP carb, and 2 1/4-inch Hooker long-tube headers. A built Turbo 400 with a B&M manual valvebody feeds prodigious torque to a 10-bolt rear with Mark Williams 31-spline axles and spool, 4.10 gears, and 29.5x10.5-inch ET drag slicks. We pressed for more details, and discovered that the stock body and framerails can handle a rear tire size as large as 13.5 inches wide. In fact, Keith ran that size tire at one time. Keith says his best e.t. so far has been a 10.0/136 on motor. The 454-equipped '74 was originally special ordered by Keith's dad as a police package, and Keith reports that it ran 14.90s in stock trim back in the day.
According to OPG Nostalgia Muscle Car racer Keith Broyles (Beech Bluff, Tennessee), his '69 Dodge Coronet isn't a Super Bee, it's a "Wanna Be." Keith's Dodge has run a best e.t. of 10.74/124 on motor with help from a .055-over 440 with Indy SR-1 heads, Edelbrock TM7 intake, a .650-lift COMP mechanical flat-tappet cam, and a Holley 950 HP carb. Power gets channeled through a built 727 with a 5,000-stall Turbo Action converter, then to an 8 3/4-inch rear with a Strange spool and 4.30 gears. The B index Keith runs in has an 11-second breakout-just perfect for him. The naturally aspirated OPG NMC class allows liberal engine mods; racing is kept tight with a class index handicap.
The Superchips Open Comp class is a racer favorite, because it combines the best of heads-up racing with the fairness of bracket racing in a format that doesn't break the bank. Here, street cars qualify all-out; their best e.t. becomes an index (similar to a dial-in), and eliminations are run off a handicapped 0.500-second pro Tree. Racers are allowed to go up to 0.10 quicker than their qualifying index without breaking out. The first one to the finish line wins. John "Chilli" Chaille (an Allison Transmission Service Engineer from Plainfield, Indiana) won in a full field with his '81 Chevy Malibu. It's run a best of 10.0/133 with a 511-inch big-block with Dart 320 heads, Victor intake, COMP solid roller cam, a Pro Systems Dominator, and a TCI 'Glide with an 8-inch converter. The stock-style suspension hooks hard with upper and lower control arms from Southside and a TRZ rear swaybar.
Bowling Green is also home to carb manufacturer Quick Fuel Technologies. Here, QFT tech Derrick Borders is helping potential customer Matt Logan (31, Louisville, Kentucky) select a carb for his 383-powered '66 Impala. "I'm definitely gonna get one." says Matt, "It just all depends on the size recommendation. QFT is a local company and everybody says good stuff about them." If you're looking for solid tech help, you'll find it at any of the NMCA event manufacturer's midways.